Some aspects of the structure of consumer demand for foodgrains in India

Abstract

The study analysis the changes in consumption pattern of food grains in India during 1960-61 to 1973-74 using data from NSS rounds. The changes in per capita consumption levels, consumer price, expenditures on food grains, income distribution and relevant elasticities are analysed. The analysis also covers the difference in demand pattern according to urbanization, income groups, and commodity composition of food grains.The analysis indicates a fall in the per capita consumption of cereals. This fall can be partially explained by the changes in the prices and income levels over this period. The changes in income distribution indicate no decline in the percentage to low income consumers in rural areas. There had been a tendency among consumers belonging to the low income groups to increase the share of coarse grains in the total consumption of cereals.